Student Life

Anti-Hazing Agreement

HAZING POLICIES

Students should be aware that hazing violates campus regulations and state law. The following information has been prepared by the Office of Student Activities. The information is designed to assist members of the University community in understanding University and state positions on hazing activities. The information is intended to be educational and should not be viewed as all-inclusive in its content and definitions. Specific questions should be referred to the Office of Student Activities and Student Activities at 732-571-3586.

Statement on Hazing

Monmouth University recognizes that student groups and associations including, but not limited to, clubs and organizations, fraternities and sororities, and intercollegiate or club sport teams are an integral part of the University. They contribute to the academic and social experience of the students and the Monmouth community. This relationship carries with it certain rights of the University to protect and preserve an appropriate environment in which all students and student associations may operate. As such, all students are expected to conduct themselves as responsible members of the University community and to respect their fellow citizens. Any departure from these standards as defined in the Student Handbook, the National fraternity/sorority documents, and state regulations, may subject any individual(s) or group(s) to disciplinary action.

Hazing: A Definition

The following act was passed by the New Jersey State Legislature in 1980 with regard to hazing and aggravated hazing under the New Jersey Criminal codes:

Hazing - A person is guilty of hazing, a disorderly persons offense, if, in connection with initiation of applicants to or members of a student or fraternal organization, he/she knowingly or recklessly organizes, promotes, facilitates, or engages in any conduct, other than competitive athletic events, which places or may place another person in danger of bodily injury.

A person is guilty of aggravated hazing, a crime of the fourth degree, if he/she commits an act prohibited in subsection “a” that results in serious bodily injury to another person. Monmouth University and the IFC, MGC, and PHC define hazing as any action taken, created, or situated intentionally (on or off campus) to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities and situations include paddling in any form, creation of excessive fatigue, physical and psychological shocks, wearing apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste in public, engaging public students and buffoonery, and other morally degrading games or activities.

Examples of Hazing

Depending upon circumstances, these activities have at one time or another have been construed as hazing by the courts and/or institutions of higher education. Such actions are often required or implied as conditions of inclusion or exclusion from a group, form or informal. Thus, hazing may be perpetrated by individual(s), individual against group, or group against individual.

Requiring calisthenics such as sit-ups, push-ups, running, or any form of physically abusive exercise.

Forcing, requiring, or endorsing consumption of alcoholic beverages or any other drug.

Scavenger hunts, treasure hunts, road trips, kidnappings, drop-offs, or any other such activities

Morally degrading or humiliating games and activities such as requiring members to sing in public or act like animals.

Assigning or endorsing pranks such as borrowing or stealing items, painting property and objects, or harassing other individuals or groups.

Deprivation of sleep.

Blindfolding or hand-tying

Verbal harassment including yelling and screaming

Requiring any personal servitude such as running errands

Line-ups, kangaroo courts, or any interrogations not consistent with legitimate testing for information about the history, purpose, or direction.

Requiring new members to wear publicly apparel that is conspicuous and/or not normally in good taste.

Requiring new members to be branded

Requiring new members to answer phones or doors with chants, riddles, songs. Or rhymes.

Deceptions and/or threats contrived to convince the new member he or she won’t be able to the join the organizations

Conducting activities that do not allow adequate time for study or sleep

Requiring new members to enter a house or building through a side door or entrance not normally used to enter.

Requiring new members to yell when entering or leaving the house or building.

Work projects without the participation of the full membership.

Any action which could be perceived as inflicting physical abuse/harm to an individual, for example, paddling or throwing things at new members.

PLEASE NOTE: This list by no means covers all activities and actions that can be considered hazing. Should you have questions or desire clarification of any of these items, please contact the Office of Student Activities and Student Center Operations at 732-571-3586.